A LUXURY Cheshire hotel and spa that ranks the England football team among its famous guests was the scene of a devastating fire yesterday.

More than 50 firefighters attended the famous Carden Park Hotel, near Chester, shortly after 9.30am as flames ripped through the roof.

The leisure centre to the hotel, which boasts one of the region's most impressive golf courses, was severely damaged by the blaze and fire crews were still clearing up the debris at 6pm.

Liverpool FC shareholder and prominent North West businessman Steve Morgan was among the 60 guests to be evacuated.

Mr Morgan, who lives in the nearby North Wales town of Ruthin, declined to comment.

Last night, a Cheshire Fire Service spokesman said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

He added: "The crews did really well to contain the fire and stop it spreading to the main part of the building. The wind was high and it really was difficult.

"The fire started in the roof above the leisure centre and then got into the eaves. When you actually have burning embers, you have to soak them through.

"We were there until the evening stripping the roof down to make sure there were no traces of the fire."

Guests who were using the pool at the time the alarm was raised were safely evacuated and wrapped in towels.

The firefighter added: "Everybody who was in the hotel was

evacuated safely and there were no casualties. Staff carried out their routine evacuation procedures quickly and efficiently."

Ten appliances attended the blaze.

Crews were drafted in from Malpas, Chester and Wrexham.

Carden Park is a De Vere Hotel built on a 17th century Cheshire estate.

Originally owned by the Leche family, the first hall was built in 1643 only to be ransacked a year later by Cromwell's troops.

Major refurbishment works on the estate began in 1989 and the

750 estate now comprises a hotel, golf resort and spa.

A spokeswoman for De Vere said: "The hotel was evacuated quickly and efficiently according to procedure and there was no threat to either staff or guests at any time.

"The main area affected was the gym which has suffered smoke and water damage. Business resumed to normal at 12:30 pm.

"The fire brigade has not yet established the exact cause of the fire."

jessicashaughnessy@dailypost.co.uk

Beckhams head list of famous faces among the guests

DAVID BECKHAM and his wife, Victoria, are among the celebrities to have visited the exclusive Carden Park Hotel.

The couple joined Beckham's team mates and manager Sven Goran Erikkson, before the 2002 World Cup.

The squad used the hotel as their headquarters in the week before England's qualifying game against Finland.

Carden Park is a favourite among Premiership footballers for its Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and Michael Owen was among its regular guests when he played for Liverpool. Other well-known faces such as Sir Norman Wisdom have also stayed there.

With 192 bedrooms and suites that cost up to £230 a night, Carden Park also attracts high profile guests with its extensive spa facilities and 20 treatment areas.